Sunday, October 08, 2017

I hope you are all doing well. The weather around here hasn't seemed very fall-like. It has been unseasonably warm but hopefully, it will start cooling down a bit coming up in the days. I love the fall just as so many others do. Plus, the fall season makes me fall more in love with my knitting every year for some reason. I keep saying it but it really is high knitting season right now. So much is happening that I am having a hard time keeping up.

Yesterday I released a "new" pattern. Let me explain. The original pattern for the bear in a bunny suit was published over a year ago in a book called Drop Dead Easy Knits. The copyright has now reverted to me and so I took it upon myself to update and modify the original pattern so it is even simpler in many respects and even cuter in all respects. I rewrote the pattern and moved and changed some things in the design so I renamed the pattern slightly. It is now called A Bear and A Bunny Suit. Doesn't that sound like a storybook title?

I also wanted to use my bouncy beautiful Home Worsted Weight wool from Barrett Wool Co. which wasn't released yet when the book came out. If you haven't tried our Home line of yarns you really should. It is a joy with which to knit. It feels so good running through your fingers and onto your needles.

So the pattern is now called A Bear and a Bunny Suit and it is on sale right now through Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 2017. No code is needed. The pattern is priced at $3.50. On Oct. 12th the pattern will be priced at $5.00. The pattern is available on Ravelry and Barrett Wool Co.

We have kits over on Barrett Wool Co. for A Bear in A Bunny Suit but they are going so fast. We will definitely add more after we get the first batch done and out the door. Remember to sign up on the product page for an automatic email reminder when the item is back in stock. You'll literally be the first to know as soon as something is restocked.

New Release Pattern Discount! The pattern is on sale for $3.50 starting today, October, 7th, 2017 through Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 2017. No code is needed. After Oct. 11th the pattern will be priced at $5.00. Enjoy!

This new A Bear and A Bunny Suit pattern is a modified version of the original pattern that first appeared in the book Drop Dead Easy Knits in 2016. I’ve changed quite a few things in the written pattern and design for this new version so I decided to release it with a slightly modified name, too.

A Bear and A Bunny Suit is a charming pint-size toy with a knit-in bunny suit including an attached hood that pulls off and on. You will fall in love with this little bear. The design and pattern feature an almost completely seamless construction and lots of specific guidance throughout to make sure your Bear turns out just right.

MaterialsLocking stitch markers Yarn needle Scrap yarn Fiberfill Small amount of black worsted weight yarn for the face embroidery Optional: Two 6mm safety eyes (safety eyes are considered a choking hazard for infants and young children) Note: If the toy is for an infant or young child use the black worsted weight yarn to embroider the eyes instead of the safety eyes.

Construction NotesThe body is worked from the bottom up and in the round. The hood is then picked up at the neck using set-aside stitches and is worked flat. The hood stitches are placed on scrap yarn. The head is worked separately in the round and is then stitched to the top of the body (this is the only seam in the entire toy). The hood is then finished off. The bear ears, bunny ears, arms and legs are picked up and knit directly onto the toy.

The little brown bear could not be any sweeter. I love it when the hood is pulled down.

We are offering the Bear kit in three different colors, Priscilla (pink), Wishing Well (blue) and Grassland (green). It would be cute in so many colors of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted.

Even sweeter from the back....

I always get a kick out of knitting a foot or a toe while the finished toy is hanging upside-down. It just looks so funny. The good thing with A Bear and A Bunny Suit is that when you are done knitting that last stitch on the foot, the bear is completely finished! It is a fantastic feeling.

And now for one more exciting development.

Back in July I flew down to Austin, Texas for about 24 hours. There I filmed a segment for The Knit Show with Vickie Howell. I've put the The Handmade Holiday Episode in the post here for you to watch. I come in at about the 4 minute mark.

But, the entire first season has been released on YouTube. All ten episodes are now up and ready for your free viewing. The show is incredibly well done and I am proud to be a tiny part of the show.

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

I hope you are all doing well. I have a super quick pattern discount to tell you about. I am making a Pete hat right now as a gift so I decided to put the pattern on discount until Oct. 9th, 2017. The pattern price is set at only $2.00! No code is needed.

Sometimes you need a super simple man's hat and this is the perfect pattern for just that.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

I hope you are doing well. All of a sudden it seems like a lot is going on but that's expected when knitting is your game and the high knitting season has arrived.

First, I want you to know that late yesterday we posted the long-awaited Branches & Buds Sweater Kits again on Barrett Wool Co. This is our most popular kit and we can't keep it in stock! They are already going super fast.

The pattern and design is by the incredibly talented Carrie Bostick Hoge of Maddermade and Making Magazine. It has been so much fun offering these kits with Carrie! The size range is really good and the Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn literally makes the sweater come to life. I have been wearing mine non-stop, pretty much every day.

The next announcement I have is a big and exciting one! I have a new book, both digital and printed, that has just been released through Quince & Co. I have worked on this project for quite a few years and to see it finalized in this fantastic book format is such a treat. The digital download ebook is available now. The printed book is up for pre-order right now over on Quince & Co. I think the printed book will be out on October 5th (which happens to be my birthday, what a gift!).

Quince & Co. is very much so the nicest company on earth. I LOVE working with them, they are smart, kind, knowledgeable, and everyone is incredibly talented and artistic. I can't say enough good things about this company. It is an honor and a privilege to get to work with Quince in any capacity. Thank you, Quince & Co., for bringing my work to life in such a charming and easy to read way.

Susan B. Anderson’s book, Kindred Knits: Knitting For Little Ones Near And Faris more than just a pattern book—in addition to the sweet variety of cardigans and other accessories for babies, the book includes a thorough primer in the construction of a basic cardigan pattern, fully annotated and illustrated, plus a tutorial on using a child’s tee to measure, calculate and knit a custom cardigan pattern that is guaranteed to fit the recipient. A pattern for tiny sweater ornaments is also included! Every project is worked in worsted-weight wool Lark. This fun book is available in print+pdf and is a treasure to have on the knitter’s bookshelf.

Preorder now and download the ebook immediately! Print expected to ship October 5th.

Just one more thing about the Kindred Knits book. The size range of the little sweaters and hat go from newborn to 24-months but the techniques and know-how to make a cardigan in any size using a tee-shirt for measurements is invaluable. You can be across the country from the intended baby or child and if you know the size they wear, you can knit a sweater for them that will fit. There are worksheets and guides that will help you knit an incredible cardigan in any size. And there are fully illustrated step-by-step tutorials included. It's a really good resource of information.

Also, my artwork is sprinkled throughout the book and that is super fun for me! I have a secret dream to be an illustrator so it is a thrill.

My last announcement is that I am teaching at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City in January 12-14, 2018! The classes have just gone up and I hope if you are able to attend, please consider taking one or all of my classes. I would just love to see any of you in person. This is one of my most favorite events of the year. You can't beat gathering with thousands of knitters in the best city in the world, NYC!

Sunday, September 17, 2017

I hope you are all doing well. I am on a teaching trip right now for the Webs Retreat in Massachusetts and it has been so much fun. It ends today and this morning I get the opportunity to hear Franklin Habit speak. I am looking forward to that!

I want to quickly tell you about some new patterns I've released as a set. The set is called Lille En, which means "little one" in Danish. I am so excited about this one. It is incredibly quick and easy to knit and would make a perfect baby gift.

The Lille En Vest is knit from the bottom up and is done completely in garter stitch, the checkers are really fun to add in, and the buttonholes are knit in as you. The shoulders are seamed with a 3-needle bind off. Easy peasy! The pattern comes in four sizes, newborn to 24 months.

The Lille En Bonnet is knit from the brim to the back. The bonnet starts flat, working back and forth, then the decrease is worked in the round. The decreases are set to make the sweetest little peak at the top. The i-cord ties are picked up and knit on. The bonnet comes in four sizes, newborn to 24 months.

We are having a wonderful Lille En celebration on Barrett Wool Co. you may not want to miss. With the purchase of 4 skeins of any of our yarns (the set is knit in Home Worsted) and the pattern for the Lille En Set, we are offering FREE U.S. SHIPPING with the code: LILLE at checkout! This is starting today, Sept. 17th, and going through the end of the day on Tuesday, Sept. 18th, 2017.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

I finished a new cardigan and I am so excited about it. The designer is NellKnits or Nell. The cardigan is named Roger after Mr. Rogers, which I love. Did you know that Fred Rogers' mother knit all of his cardigans that he would put on at the beginning of each of his PBS children's episodes? Quite a few years ago I visited the Smithsonian and had the chance to see one of Fred Rogers' cardigans in person (and Julia Child's kitchen!). It was a real highlight.

The Roger cardigan is comfy and cozy and it makes you feel good which is why the name dedication to Mr. Rogers is really quite perfect. Nell has done a fantastic job with her design.

I always enjoy a couple of in-progress shots. I really love that moment when you can try on a top-down cardigan to see how it is fitting. At this point in the process I was certain that Roger would become a new favorite for me.

I love how Nell rounded out the top edge of the button bands. This is such a sweet detail. I also love the set-in pockets. Nell has instructions for both a fabric lined pocket and a knitted pocket lining.

I think this photo shows how cozy and sweet this cardigan is, the wool looks so squishy. The slight A-line shape is created by going up a needle size on the lower part of the body.

We are working to get custom wood buttons made right now. These are not available yet but with the Roger Cardigan Kit we are including a 20% coupon to be used when we get the buttons in stock. The buttons on my cardigan are Yew wood and they are handmade from Wooly Moss Roots.

I love the longer length of the cardigan and the drape of the textured fabric. The texture pattern is a simple broken rib. One row is knit only, and then the next row is k2, p2. The smooth stockinette stitch on the sleeves is really flattering.

I made my pocket linings with stripes. The kit includes a few mini-skeins of Home Worsted Weight yarn with plenty to knit your pocket linings if you so choose.

Photo from NellKnits

Nell knit her Roger cardigan in Home Worsted Weight in the Field colorway. I think this color is spectacular. Her cardigan has fabric lined pockets and she has a tutorial on how to do this right here!

Photo provided by NellKnits

The collar is picked up and and knit on. I love the details Nell included, how she lined up the rib and the short rows to raise the back of the neck. It is elegant and lovely.

Anyway, I am excited about my new handmade wardrobe addition. I will be wearing Roger day and day out this coming fall and winter. It is my new favorite. I know you will love to knit and to wear the Roger cardigan. Congratulations to Nell for a beautiful design and pattern!

And as Mr. Rogers always sang, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Saturday, September 02, 2017

It has been such a full and busy summer and I know like everyone else I can't believe it is already September. I thought I would start today by sharing a quick family photo of our crew at my nephew's wedding a couple of weeks ago. This photo was taken right after the outdoor wedding ceremony in the same park. It was lovely and we had such a good trip. We made a week long vacation out of it and we loved the San Diego area so much. It is so beautiful and the landscape is interesting and varied. We enjoyed a few different beaches and the ocean and the hiking (we went to a state park but I can't remember the name of it). We stayed at a house in La Jolla. The neighborhood had winding hilly streets and houses that were unbelievable. It was all good!

I hope your August was a good one, too.

A fun development has come about. Kelmscott Designs is a Canadian company that makes fun and little scissors. The owner, Paula, has designed and created a new pair of snips in my honor. She asked my permission and sent me design samples along the way. And just a few days ago we were sent a sampling of the finished version.

The new scissors are called Susan Scissors and I just love them. I was already a big fan of the Kelmscott tiny scissors. I have a pair in pretty much every project bag I own and I love traveling with them because they are TSA approved.

We are making a small preview selection of the Susan Scissors available in the Barrett Wool Co. Mercantile right now. They won't be available anywhere else for a couple of weeks!

Next up we have the Elida hat by Tanis Gray! This is the third hat in a small collection by Tanis for Barrett Wool Co. The Elida uses all four of the colors that were used in both the Vidar hat and the Erland hat. If you have one skein each of Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight in Marmalade, Snowy Pine, Field and Peppercorn, you have enough to make all three of these fantastic colorwork hats by Tanis Gray.

So we decided to do a fun bundle deal over on Barrett Wool Co.

If you purchase four skeins of Home Worsted Weight in any colors and add the three hat patterns (Vidar, Erland and Elida) to your cart you will get the three patterns for free by entering the code TANIS at checkout!

Sunday, August 27, 2017

I hope you are doing well. I just returned from a fantastic trip to the San Diego area for my nephew's wedding. We made a vacation out of it and stayed for a week. It was so fun and the area is just beautiful. We rented a house in La Jolla and that was interesting. The neighborhood was filled with gorgeous homes and extensive landscaping. The neighborhood roads were winding and very hilly and narrow. The wedding was top-notch actually taking place in a park in Del Mar. I'll share some photos when I get them transferred to my computer.

For now, I just wanted to pop in and say hello and to let you know that I have a 50% off pattern sale going on for the Barrett Wool Co. patterns. These can be purchased on Ravelry or on the Barrett Wool Co. website.

To get 50% off any of the Barrett Wool Co. patterns enter the code at checkout. The sale is going now and will end on tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 28th, 2017.

The Sonora Shawl is a design by Kirsten Kapur and it is a stunning and fun shawl to knit. There is not one purl stitch in the entire shawl and the mosaic section only uses one color at a time. It looks deceptively more complicated than it is which is the best!

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